Officer Down Memorial Page

He was a true FBINA brother and a real HERO !!!!! He will be missed ! Dave Essex, 85th Session, FBINA

Chief Park Ranger David J. Essex
National Park Service, USDI
March 11, 2012

Holly I have watched my daughter deal with this same situation. She is dating again also, but I now know she will never be the same. I miss my son-in-law terribly and I can't imagine the hurt that she feels. Your doing the right thing. Take care of yourself and your boys. Your husband would be proud.

Bob Johnston
In law of fallen officer
March 7, 2012

Holly, IM so sorry for your loss. Your letter made me cry. You sound like you are a strong person because of what you went through and your boys will grow up to know that about you and how proud they should be of their daddy. God Bless to you and your boys.

Police Officer, CA Wood
Houston Police Department
March 7, 2012

R.I.P. Capt Reed, you're amoung the true hero's of life. To Holly I can only say that you sound like a strong/kind woman, a faithful wife and great mother. I can not imagine even 1 day in your shoes, but I pray that God keeps you and your family safely in his wings. Moving on must be a constant struggle, but it sounds like Chad is helping you on that path. May the winds of the world carry you to wonderful places, may the sun shine brightly upon you and your children, and may the good graces of Lord Jesus be bestowed upon you.

Retired Corporal Roberta A Hinde #46
Northampton Twp Poilice Dept, Bucks Co, PA
March 7, 2012

Chad,

As I sit here today reviewing the new postings my heart breaks for the most current loss. Clay County S.O...has lost a detective. He left behind his wife and 2 small children. Sound familiar? Never as a wife do you think it will be you who gets that phone call or visit, but it has now been 25 months you have been gone.

Hernando County has just finished the trial of John Kalisz who not only murdered you, but shot 4 women, killing 2 of them. The jury recommended the death penalty and the sentencing phase begins soon. I did a couple of news interviews after the trial and both reporters asked the same question. "How does the result make you feel?" My response, "it doesn't change my life...Chad is still gone and John Kalisz will never be a free man. You as a reporter may write an article or two to describe the situation to the public, however, I will tell you it doesn't matter if anybody writes a story or if it never goes on the news...it's not something we have to be reminded of by reading in the newspaper...we live everyday without Chad...that's tougher than sitting in a courtroom with his killer. Today is like any other day since January 14th, 2010...you aren't here with us...but life goes on."

We have survived our year of seconds...Caden's 7th birthday, Thanksgiving, our 14th wedding anniversary, Christmas, C.J.'s 11th birthday and January 14th without you. The boys are growing into handsome young gentlemen that you would be very proud of...C.J.'s GPA is the highest in his class and Caden is amazing with how quick he picks up on something and his determination and focus...they both have so many of your traits. There are days I look at them and it breaks my heart to know you arent here to see them grow and there are days that they are true comedians! And days I want to pinch the mess out of them when they push my buttons...you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Life has taken on a new normal for us...the boys have adjusted to the new school and are doing much better emotionally. I chose to work part-time so I can be at all of the school parties, ball practices, etc...so, life is still busy just different because I work 2 days a week not 5-6. We are settling into our new house. We needed a change of scenery. Every time I walked into the living room I saw you sitting in your recliner. Every time the back door opened it took my breath away because I thought Chad's home...only to come back to reality and realize that's not possible.

I also started dating...talk about new territory! We had those conversations...what if...however, those conversations are much easier in theory than in real life. I have learned so much about who our true friends are. So many people judge and yet have never walked a day in my shoes. I stand and hold my head up because I know our marriage was true. We may have had our tough times, but those tough times are what makes us stronger. I upheld my wedding vows without fail and then some. The first few dates were tough, I spent more time in the bathroom hyperventilating than at the restaurant table. I hadn't been on a date with anyone but you since I was 17. We grew up together and knew how each other thought. You don't find that every day. Only you can appreciate the "small town, small minds" approach that some people have about this situation. I have told several people, I didn't divorce him, I didn't leave him, he was murdered, we didn't choose not to be together...if he were here, we would still be together.

The hardest times, the most lonely times are in the evening and the weekend when we spent our time together. But now with dating...it has helped with the loneliness. I talked in length to the boys before starting to date...if I didn't know better I would think you talked with them...their responses were...mom we just want you to be happy and that's what daddy wanted too. Then Caden asked..."if you go to the movies can we go?" my answer, of course! And so far as dates go...I've had more dates with the boys than without the boys. I have to know that they are more than okay with whoever...we have made a great decision on who I'm dating and you would approve...that was something I always kept in the back of my mind...would Chad approve? I have no doubts...we are taking things slow...after living through this horrible tragedy...we want to go slow and adjust to our new life.

We feel your absence daily...as we get ready in the morning when you used to play around with the boys...to me not hearing you sign off...54-6...oh...and a laugh for you...I have done many things in the last 2 years I never dreamed of doing...and this past year I got a tattoo...that's right...a tattoo...small and descrete..."54-6" Just for you...because you always wanted one, but never did.

Also, to let you know I still get phone calls from the FBINAA #238...they call, email, etc...checking in to make sure we are doing ok. Remember the "wall of honor"? The one you made me take a picture of while up for FBINA graduation? Well, you were inducted as the 27th person last March. I know you were laughing when I stood in that auditorium and spoke in front of all those people. YOU were the public speaker, not ME...yet, I have not had a choice. I have just told myself I was speaking for you. Nervous, sweating, weak in the knees...but I made it through.

FBINAA #238 also had a bronze plaque made of you...YOU in bronze...C.J. and Caden laughed and laughed when they saw it...it looks so much like you...but it hangs proudly outside the Sheriff's office in the courthouse. Your presence is missed at the S.O. too...

I also faced your murderer in court. I told him I forgave him. It's not healthy to hold onto that kind of stuff. It makes you bitter. I have prayed daily that God would keep me from being bitter and so far...it's working. I told John Kalisz he took one of the most precious things from me, but I wasn't gonna let him steal my joy for life. I still have 2 boys to raise the way we started...and I'm not a quiter!

Rest knowing we think of you daily...talk of you in our everyday conversations...and miss you always.

Thank you for always being the "prepared" person you were. You made sure that if something did happen the boys and I would be okay. We are okay, but definitely not the same people we were before Janary 14th, 2010. Some people don't understand why I'm not the same...I have tried to explain that half of me died that day too, but they just look at me like I'm crazy.

Love always,

Holly

Holly Reed, widow of Capt. Chad Reed, Sr
E. O. W. 1-14-2010, Dixie County S. O.
February 17, 2012

Rest in Peace, Captain Reed. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
February 9, 2012

Chad's family and coworkers are in our thoughts in prayers as the trial involving other heinous crimes committed by the perp continues in Hernando County. May you be comforted in knowing people everywhere--even complete strangers--think of you and share in your grief at the loss of a wonderful person who accepted the call to protect and serve.

God bless you all.

Mary VanHaute; Clearwater, FL
Wife of Retired Green Bay Police Officer
January 21, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the second anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect and your memory wili always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Holly, thank you for sharing your beautiful love story with us and thanks to your friends who let us know what an amazing man and friend you were. I hold you all in my heart's embrace today.
.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
January 14, 2012

Continue to rest in peace Captain Reed, we will never forget the sacrifice you and your entire family made for all of us.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb
January 14, 2012

Chad, i didn't know life without you because you loved Holly since I was three. It has taken me over a year to write you because I wanted to believe what happened was a joke, but obviously it's not. I'm going into my senior year of college, and my last year of softball and i promise I would give anything in the world to have you for my little league coach again. I miss you so much its unbelievable. I miss you cheering me on and believing in me.
You would be so proud of C.J and Caden. They are growing up and becoming the best gentlemen! I wish I could be there for them more than I am!!! I would do anything in the world for them!!! Holly has been the strongest person (I'm sure you already knew that) ever! God couldn't have given me the best example.. I look up to her everyday!!!
I'm majoring in psychology and criminal justice because I want to be a police officer like you.
I honestly can not tell you how I wish I could rub your "bad" shoulder again. I would give anything to hear you say, "Come on Jessie!!!!! You can do it fuzzy wuzzy."
You were the best brother anyone could ever ask for!!!!
People say time heals, but it really doesn't. You just have to find a "new" normal.

Love and miss you more than words can describe!

Fuzzy Wuzzy :)
Love, fuzzy wuzzy
NEVER EVER EVER FORGET!!! 54-6

Jessica Chewning
sister-in-law
August 7, 2011

Chad,

It was trully an honor to get to work beside you, hand in hand and to get to know such a well respected person. Dixie took a tremendous loss on that day. Your family will always be in my prayers.

Investigator Burt Miller
Levy County Sheriff's Office
August 6, 2011

Mr. Chad I miss you so much. I miss you teaching the D.A.R.E program and seeing you at the local football games you will always be my role model and the person I look up too.

I love you Mr. Chad and can't wait to see you again.

Taylor Whitfield
July 24, 2011

I just wanted to say, Thanks for serving.and to your family,we know he will never be forgottin.

William W.Driggers
June 24, 2011

I hope you know how much I respect you. I hope you know that everyday I go to work wondering why you are not here.
I wonder why it happend, I sadly wish, I could have been there to help you, and be there with you.
I held up at the state memorial in Tallahassee, up unitl I stood at the steps to call your name, a wave of emotion come over me...I think I got the words out, but I don't really remember what I said after I said your name...It was an honor serving as a family escort at the memoral. Chad, as I prepare to travel to Washington to the national memorial to honor your memory, I cannot help but wonder?....What do we do now? I pray that you have found peace, I pray for your family, wife, and children. I still cannot grasp why I am still hurting, and why the loss of you has affected me so deeply.
I am mad, I am angry,I am hurt, and yet so very proud I knew you.
Do I feel guilty because we could have been closer over the years, why do I feel guilty?...I want the twilight of my career to be as good or even better than the rookie years, I want to be a good example for the new guys, and wish I could be more of a person that others looked up to...End the end, I miss You, my friend! 54-6 NEVER FORGET.

Sgt. C.P. Hart
Dixie County Sheriff's Office
May 9, 2011

Hey Chad,

I finally got the courage to write you a message on here... It feels like so long ago I got the call to meet with you, the Sheriff and Dean Miller for my job interview... I was so excited that day. And here I am today, have been working for nearly two years now and I'm only 21. Even though I never got too spend that much time with you, I felt like I was close to you. I was so excited to start working with you. As you know, I didn't grow up with a father, or even someone to be a father figure, but I respected you as if you were my father. I'll never get the talk we had in your office when you told me you were proud too see me becoming an established young man, and that you knew I would become a good deputy. On 01-14-2010, you were taken from this world, and now you rest with our Father in heaven. I hadn't even started school yet, I was so upset to know you wouldn't be able to see me graduate. I wanted to make you proud. I remember how you told me how to talk on the radio, and I think about it every time I key up, and that you are in your car or office listening, so I always try to speak clearly and quickly. I miss seeing you in church... You even sat in your pue in a tactical fashion. You were great role model. You were so smart and knew EVERYTHING ....I'm at a loss for words, cause I know I won't get a response back.... Chad, on 01-26-2011, I was involved in a shooting. Loren, DK and I were at a residence, the suspect charged DK with a shovel, and I shot the suspect. Till this day it still hasn't set in... But I know, that you and God were with me that day, I wouldnt have had the strength to do it otherwise. I thought about you, and putting yourself in harms way. And I felt worse... You are a Hero to me, and always will be. But that day, some called me a Hero, and Chad, I do not feel like a Hero. I can never compare to the ultimate sacrifice you made for us. Ever. I miss you, and feel lost without having you here to guide me along the path of success in this career. All I want to do is learn, and be the best that I can be. It's an everyday battle, and I feel unappreciated at times. I just wish you were here to lead the way. I miss you Chad.
Sincerley,
Dep. William D. Cravey 5429

Deputy William D. Cravey
Dixie County Sheriff's Office
March 23, 2011

Chad,

Your classmates of the FBINA Session 238 gathered yesterday on March 1st at the Academy in Quantico to honor your life. We had a great turnout from across the entire Country to pay respect to you. We met your amazing family, Mom, Dad, Holly and your two beautiful boys...who continue to demonstrate incredible courage and strength during this extremely difficult time. Your Sheriff and Major also joined us at the ceremony and continue to show great support for your loved ones.
Chad you are dearly missed and were taken to early from this world, but the amount of people you had a positive impact on during your thirty three years is amazing and a true inspiration.
We know you are looking down upon us and watching over all of your friends and family...because that is what you have always done, taken care of all of those around you.
Rest in peace my friend, we will try to fill your shoes to the best of our ability and will always be here as your family. Your service will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Lt. Laura O'Sullivan
New Castle County Police Department, Delaware
March 2, 2011

Thanks for your dedication and Service to Dixie County
Resident of Old Town Robert

Citizen Robert Booth
Resident
January 28, 2011

chad was a very good man i do thinkof him often the loss his famliy goes through on a daily basis i met him for the first time in my familys time of loss he stayed very involved with our needs as well as the investigation for that he earned my respect he will be missed may god continue to give his wife and children the strength it takes every single day to lose a family member to illness or accident is hard murder is just something ive yet to come to terms with myself its been 11 yrs since i met chad reed may god bless the reed family take care

april burnett
January 25, 2011

Taking a moment to honor Capt. Reed. His service & his ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister & granddau. of LEOs
January 18, 2011

To Cpt. Chad Reed, his family and his fellow officers with the Dixie County Sheriff's Office:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Cpt. Reed’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Cpt. Reed and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
January 14, 2011

Time does not heal the pain in the hearts of those left behind, but may you know we will never forget your HERO... God bless you today on your first EOW.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous
January 14, 2011

Chad

Just a note to let you know you and your family are in Still in the hearts and prayers

Dominick Blasko
Crawford Police NY
January 13, 2011

Chad I think of you everyday. I think of all the times I was around you when you were growing up. I think about the car wreck you and I were in back in 1988, and wonder how we came out of it alive. I think about 1993-94 When we went to work for DCEMS,... the times we played, the times we argued, the fires, the wrecks, the dive team calls,emergency runs, and other things we went through...I think about the man you matured into, the Friend and Supervisor, you became at the Sheriff's Office...The Karate Tournaments, the times at O'Charlie's or the Vision's you had for the Sheriff's Office. Your desire to establish a Special Operations Team...I also think about the man and the leader, You were and should have become...The FBI academy...The Future of Dixie County Law Enforcement, all cut short on 01-14-2010...It's been a hard year for everyone...I wish Chad, you and I could have stayed as close through the middle years, as we were during our earlier years .Though I am thankful we worked together, served together, and grew up together
(you grew up, while I grew older) and re-established, a friendship, and mutual respect during the last few years.

Chad, your death has affected me far more than I ever thought it would, and more so than even the loss of some of my family. In the End, all I can say is Chad...I miss you, admire who you were, and what you were becomming...I Will Honor your Memory, and You Will not be Forgotten...NEVER FORGET...54-6

Sgt. C.P. Hart
Dixie County Sheriff's Office-Patrol
January 10, 2011

Hey Babe,

We made it through the holidays and CJ officially turned the big #10. As I watched him blow out his candles all I could think about was the moment he was born and the look of awe and love in your eyes. You were a wonderful daddy! Those moments that are special are tough when I know you would have loved to have been here. When CJ made his interception I cried, when he made his touchdown I cried, and on his birthday I cried. Wishing heaven wasn't so far away...as Caden says..."can't we just talk with daddy on the computer or go visit for a day?" They both miss you terribly and that is the hardest part of all of this...seeing it in their eyes and knowing what they are thinking. CJ wanted you to see his touchdown and interception so bad and so did his coaches...they were unable to speak to me for a few minutes because their heart was broken for CJ even though they were excited...they knew you would have been so excited. Those are the moments that are the toughest, but we are making it...you always told me tough times would come, but we are gonna be okay! (Right?)


We continue to miss you moment by moment, day by day...no matter where life takes me...you will always be a part of it.

Craig and Debra have taken CJ to hunt this weekend like we had planned to do last year. Don't know if they will kill anything, but I'm sure Craig will not have any trouble getting CJ to talk. (haha) Caden spent the night at the camp with Big Daddy and thinks he is as big as the other boys. We are waiting for a closing date on a house close to mama and daddy. You would be so proud of the great deal I am getting. You taught me how to manage my money and budget...so I am excited about the new house, but wish you were here with us to enjoy it.

Your headstone is almost complete and will be visible as people drive on your highway...the "Chad Allen Reed, Sr. Memorial Highway". Wishing you were here to give me a hug and provide me with the security I felt when you were here. Missing you daily...but trying to be strong for the boys.

With all my love,

Holly...1437

Holly Reed
Wife of Capt. Chad Reed
January 8, 2011

Chad:

I just wanted to stop by and spend a little time with you. I have been thinking about you alot lately, and I miss you very much. I know January 14, 2011 is right around the corner and I wish the calendar would just skip that day. So much has happened since last year. Holly and the boys are doing good, and it brings me such joy to know that God is seeing them through this. Holly is a GREAT lady, and I have come to love her like a sister. We are all doing the Relay for Life together in April, so that should be alot of fun.

Well in about 15 more days the Captain Chad Reed Memorial Wells will be built, and thousands of children & adults will receive clean drinking all because of you. Thousands of people will continue to live all because of YOU! You were such a remarkable person, and your legacy will continue to live on in all of us who were blessed to know you.

I made a promise to you, and with the help of GOD and hundreds of people that promise came true. My second promise was to watch out for Holly and the boys, and I promise if they ever need me I will be here. Chad, your life has made me a better person!

R.I.P my friend!!!
54-6 "We will never forget"
Denise Butler

Denise Butler
Friend
January 5, 2011